Our deepest longings

There have been many versions of a quote, attributed to Blaise Pascal, regarding a 'God-shaped' vacuum in the human heart. While the sentiment remains the same, the actual quote is a lot more in depth.

“What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace?

This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words, by God himself”

Thought: We can search for things to fill our lives with meaning, but ultimately (in the words of Pascal), only God will satisfy our deepest longings.

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." - Matthew 6:33

Living in Grace

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Words that have no heart

There can be nothing worse that listening to someone speak about a really important issue, but realising that they don't really care about the particular issue. Politicians are especially good at doing this - but, then again, we may not be so innocent either. Our times of prayer can so easily become moments of 'religious repetition', unless we carefully monitor the movement of our heart. Do our hearts really believe in what we are praying/saying?

It is noticeable that John Bunyan wrote a lot about prayer, and this is most likely because he was a man of prayer himself.

 “In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart. ”

“Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer.”

“Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan.”

Matthew 6:7 - “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.

Thought: Have you recently been tempted to speak without truly meaning the words?

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The Juggler

The world record for juggling stands at 14 balls at one time and is held by Alex Barron. If you want to watch him breaking the record you can click on this link. So, why am I talking about juggling on this blog? Well, I feel it has a lot to say to many of us at the moment and I am including myself in this group.

What are you juggling at the moment? Are you feeling a little overwhelmed with all the balls in the air? I know that I have felt a little overawed at times. It just seems that the more balls one has in the air, the more we are tempted to add others to the game. However, the odds are always going to be stacked against us - the more we try to juggle, the greater chance there is of us letting the balls drop. So, what is the solution? 

Well, we would be wise to listen to the words of Jesus. He spoke to a different generation, but his words are still very relevant for us all.

³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6)

What are you juggling at the moment?

What things are perhaps being dropped or neglected?

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How should we pray?

Luke 22:39–46 - "Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

How should we pray?

When faced with difficult circumstances and the way forward looks very difficult and even painful.  When we have the choice of accepting the situation or running away and hiding. The advice we always receive is to pray about it. Then we are often told that God will change the circumstances for us if we have enough faith. So, we go and pray, pleading with the Father to remove the difficulties from our path. We are earnest in our prayers and firmly believe that He can change the circumstances, and He can, but He doesn’t. We may even be told that we don’t have enough faith, but this just adds to our misery.

We find in this passage the road to peace in all our difficulties. It is a road that is not natural or easy for us. Jesus sweated blood for something like three hours to find it, Paul pleaded on three occasions before he found it (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). It is the path of prayer that Jesus taught his disciples and is in fact the only way to live at peace in this troubled world.

This is how you should pray: “…Thy will be done…” (Matt 6:10). 

Understanding that the Father knows what we really need (Matt 5:8) and He will not be slow in giving it to us (Luke 11:12). It is the prayer of complete surrender of our lives, our hearts and our wills to the Father’s purpose. A purpose that we cannot see at the time. It is only in that surrender that we can receive the comfort and strength of the Holy Spirit. And then we can go forward knowing that God is in command and working His purpose through all the tragedies of life. At peace while all the world around us is falling apart.

As you continue the story of Jesus’ journey to the cross you find He is the only peaceful figure in the scenario. The light in the darkness, the stillness in the chaos, the One who has already won the victory.

I trust that as you pray this most powerful and simple prayer, “Thy will be done” you will find God’s strength and peace in your life through this troubled world.

Our devotion this morning has come from the pen of Hugh Till - many thanks for your insights Hugh. 

Living in Grace

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It all boils down to this

Today's sentence of wisdom, from our friend Solomon, has been passed down from generation to generation - and it is still so so TRUE.

"We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us."- Ecclesiastes 5:15

When we come to realise this fact we slowly start to detach ourselves from the obsession of holding onto our "things". Most of us take a long time to learn this, but eventually it dawns on most of us. We can't take any material things with us when we die.

Jesus said it like this:

"“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal" (Matthew 6:19).

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Do you know God?

Knowing the true character of a person will tell you a lot about their actions. And so if you hear a rumour that a friend or loved one has supposedly acted in a certain way, because you know them well, you would probably second-guess that gossip. In a sense, this is what Jesus is saying to us:

"People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." - Matthew 6:34-36 (Eugene Peterson)

The question for us is this: do we know God and how he works?

And if the answer is yes, then we are invited to steep our lives in God-reality, God-initiative and God-provisions.

Living in Grace

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Sabbath - Lenten reflection

Sometimes it is all about timing or as we like to call it "God-incidence."
I happen to be re-reading an incredible book called An Altar in the World (Barbara Brown Taylor) and on Day 1 of our Lockdown I started at the chapter entitled 'The practise of saying No.'

I am probably not going to do justice to her incredible wisdom, but I just love the way that Barbara shares her thoughts on Sabbath and entering into a time of Rest. Here are a few of her words:

"Sabbath is not only God's gift to those who have voices to say how tired they are; Sabbath is also God's gift to the tired fields, the tired vines, the tired land..."

"Sabbath is the great equalizer, the great reminder that we do not live on the earth but in it, and that everything we do under the warming tent of this planet's atmosphere affects all who are woven into this web with us."

"On this day we shall not do, but be.
We are to walk the path of our humanity, no longer ride unseeing through a world we do not touch and only vaguely sense.
No longer can we tear the world apart to make our fire..."

And then she shares the familiar words from Jesus in Matthew 6:

^"Look at the birds! They don’t worry about what to eat—they don’t need to sow or reap or store up food—for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. ²⁷ Will all your worries add a single moment to your life?"

Enjoy your rest during this time of Lockdown and pray for those who still have to work in order to keep us safe. 

Living in Grace
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Six

Each day has enough trouble of its own.
These are the last words of Matthew 6 and they come at the end of portion where Jesus urges his followers not to worry about the trivial things in life.  It is not that these things aren't important for us - we do need food, shelter, clothing and so on - but I believe Jesus wants us to know that God is also concerned about these things too and God will make a plan for us. God will provide enough for us to get through each day.

That could mean - Enough food...
Enough shelter...
Enough love...
Enough strength...
Enough support...
Enough hope...
Enough comfort...

As you continue to make your journey to Holy Week reflect on these wonderful words from Jesus. God is enough. God will give us enough in order to sustain us for whatever we are facing.

^"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:33-34

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God of goodness

“God, of thy goodness, give me Thyself;
for Thou art enough for me,
and I can ask for nothing less
that can be full honour to Thee.
And if I ask anything that is less,
ever Shall I be in want,
for only in Thee have I all.”
― Julian of Norwich 

Jesus encouraged us to depend on his father's love and provisions. God knows what we need and God has promised to take care of us.

Matthew 6:30-33 (The Message)
 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Living in Grace
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Big Shadow

"Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow." - Swedish proverb

I wonder if Jesus already knew that some of our worries are made much bigger because of their shadow and not really what they are? This Swedish proverb makes a lot of sense for us and especially those who have experienced something like this before. Think back to an issue that consumed your thought-life and energy for weeks, but failed to even materialise. It was such a waste of emotional energy, but still we were consumed with worry.

Jesus words in the Sermon on the Mount are easy to understand - they are in plain language - but they are so much harder to live out. Ponder them from Eugene Peterson's paraphrase:

"...People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." - Matthew 6: 29-34


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Don't Worry

Such valuable insight and advice for living in today's times - even though this was written for people living 2000 years ago.

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." - Matthew 6:30-33 (The Message)

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Do not Fret

"Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
² for like the grass they will soon wither,    like green plants they will soon die away." - Psalm 37

"Fret" is not a word we use much anymore, but we understand that it means 'to worry.' However, I think it means more than that - the definition of 'fret' is to be 'be constantly or visibly anxious.'  So these words from the Psalmist invite us not to be always consumed with anxiety, especially in light of people who are wicked. The implication is that they will receive their reward in due course.

Jesus used the same sentiment when he spoke to his followers in his great sermon on the Mount:
 
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:34

Question: What is it that you are worrying about at the moment? How does today's Psalm help you to deal with your anxiety.

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Commit yourself to what?

 

Should I commit to this project or this great cause?
Should I put my energy and efforts into helping the needy or speaking to people about the Bible?
Should I commit myself to my family, to the church, to my chosen sport?
What should I commit myself too? There is so little time and so many good choices.

Ian Thomas, in his book The Saving Life of Christ gives us a little insight into the question.

"You are not called upon to commit yourself to a need, or to a task, or to a field; you are called upon to commit yourself to God!"

So the answer lies in the first step, and then the others flow from that one decision. If I choose to commit yourself first to God, then my priorities, desires, gifts and other tasks will flow from this first commitment. Does that make sense?

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Living in Grace
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What are you reading?

What are you reading at the moment? I know that there are a few people who will say "nothing", but I sure hope that you set yourself the goal of reading a few books this year. I have just finished reading Randy Pausch's book "The Last Lecture", which I have referred to in previous blog posts. He has many delightful things to say, but one of his quotes sunk into my spirit last week.

“The key question to keep asking is, Are you spending your time on the right things? Because time is all you have. ” 

So, what are the RIGHT things?
And when you have figured that out, then we need to be asking if we are spending enough time on those things?

Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Living in Grace
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One day at a time

"The one thing we know about the future is that it comes only one day at a time." - Jeff Rich

This is nothing new to any of us, but we still often forget to apply Jesus' wisdom to this fact. Jesus said: “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today." - Matthew 6:34 

When there are so many different issues, demands, emergencies trying to grab our attention, the best advice is still to take life, ONE DAY AT A TIME.

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Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/one_day_at_a_time.html

Stop Fussing

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving.
People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.
Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.
Don’t worry about missing out.
You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." - Matthew 6:30-33

May the words of this passage reassure us all of God's abundant grace and love. Let us resolve to stop our 'human' fussing and to trust in God.

Living in Grace
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What we love

"What we love we shall grow to resemble." - Bernard of Clairvaux

I think that these words speak so truthfully into our lives. Of course we can read into this quote a positive tone - if we love good things, then this will be beneficial for us and others. However, if we love things of this world, then we will become like those things too. I guess the choice lies with each one of us.

Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

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Worth more than that

If you popped along to your local pet store you would be able to buy a bird (like a budgie etc) for less than 100 Rand. If you were clever you could catch a sparrow in your garden and it would cost you nothing. As sad as it is to say this, these birds aren't worth much in monetary terms. And yet, these are the birds that he uses to compare humans with in Matthew 6. Jesus invites us to look at these birds and to see how content they are. They don't want for anything, because God takes care of them.

œ          Matthew 6: 26 - Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

      So, in the end, how much more valuable are we to the Lord? In Jesus' mind we are much more valuable. In fact, so much so, that He was willing to die for us. Let us be thankful that God has given us all that we need for this life and for eternity.

“All have their worth and each contributes to the worth of the others.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

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